Propulsion Machine Position Detection via Gateway Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of operations due to multiple propulsion machines and devices on a hull leads to a higher risk of control failure from erroneous settings and requires significant labor to identify and correct these errors.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a propulsion machine position determiner that uses a gateway device and communication bus to connect propulsion machine controllers, allowing for the recognition and relative positioning of propulsion machines, thereby reducing the risk of erroneous settings and the labor required to identify them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple propulsion machines and devices are mounted on a hull, then the functionality and versatility of the ship is improved, but the complexity of operations and the risk of erroneous settings increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects the presence and positions of propulsion machines through the gateway device and communication bus, eliminating the need for manual configuration and setting operations. The system self-identifies and self-configures, thereby reducing operation complexity while maintaining multiple propulsion machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device continuously monitors and detects the presence of propulsion machines via the communication bus, providing feedback information about the system configuration. This automatic feedback mechanism allows the control system to adapt to the actual hardware setup without requiring complex manual programming or configuration by the operator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple propulsion machines and devices are mounted on a hull, then the functionality and versatility of the ship is improved, but the labor required to find erroneous settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects and identifies the presence and positions of all propulsion machines through the gateway device and communication bus. This self-detection capability eliminates the need for manual inspection and configuration verification, significantly reducing the labor and time required to identify erroneous settings or misconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of physically checking and verifying settings is replaced by an automated electronic detection system. The gateway device and communication bus automatically scan for propulsion machines, substituting the manual inspection process with an automated electronic one that is both faster and more reliable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual setting operations are performed for multiple propulsion machines, then the system can be configured for different configurations, but the risk of control failure due to erroneous settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects and configures the presence and positions of propulsion machines through the gateway device and communication bus. This self-configuration capability eliminates human error in setting operations while maintaining the ability to support multiple propulsion machine configurations, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device performs preliminary detection and identification of propulsion machines before the control system is fully operational. This preliminary self-detection ensures that the system is correctly configured from the start, preventing erroneous settings from causing control failures while maintaining configuration flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of a plurality of propulsion machines of the control system includes a propulsion machine controller. The propulsion machine position determiner of the control system includes the propulsion machine controllers and a gateway device. The gateway device has a plurality of connection ports connected to a communication bus, and includes a single or a plurality of gateway controllers connected to each other in series via the connection ports and the communication bus. The propulsion machine controllers of two of the propulsion machines are communicably connected to different connection ports of the gateway controller provided corresponding to a pair of the two propulsion machines. The gateway controllers individually communicate with the two propulsion machine controllers to recognize the presence or absence of the propulsion machines having the propulsion machine controllers, and outputs recognition information based on recognition results of the propulsion machines from the different connection ports.